Governor TO join senator graham, other state officials at bi-annual international aerospace trade fair in England

Columbia, S.C. – July 16, 2010 – Gov. Mark Sanford will attend the Farnborough International Airshow, one of the largest trade fairs in the international aerospace industry. While in Farnborough, just outside London, Gov. Sanford – along with other South Carolina officials, including Senator Lindsey Graham – will promote the state as a vital hub of aerospace industrial activity.

“With the success our state has had over the last year in attracting aerospace investment, I wanted to maximize my time left as governor in working with the department of Commerce to make this the beginning of a new era in South Carolina’s economic history,” Gov. Sanford said. “What we’re witnessing, I believe, is South Carolina taking the lead in attracting investment in an industry that’s only going to grow in importance around the globe. Indeed it’s our vision to make our state the international aerospace market’s leading competitor in the Southeastern United States.”

Among the state’s recent triumphs in attracting jobs and investment from the aerospace industry are the following:

• Earlier this year, GE Aviation held a grand opening of its new facility in South Carolina and reaffirmed its plans to boost production capabilities of high pressure turbine blades for commercial aircraft engines at GE’s Upstate facility – adding 100 jobs by 2013 and increasing capital investment by millions of dollars.

• Last fall, Boeing chose to put a second final assembly facility and delivery center to support its Dreamliner jet in North Charleston – solidifying a partnership between South Carolina and Boeing. The company’s decision represented the single largest capital investment announcement in South Carolina history. A recent study found that Boeing’s operation will have a $6.1 billion impact annually and create 15,000 jobs around the state.

• Cytec Industries, a specialty chemicals and materials technology company, recently completed its $150 million expansion of its Carbon Fiber facility in Greenville. The company produces composite and adhesive systems for the aerospace industry.

• AvCraft, a full-service aircraft MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) facility that services a number of turboprops and jets, recently increased its investment in Horry County, adding 50 jobs.

The bi-annual Farnborough Airshow is among the largest events in the aerospace industry. When last held in 2008, the Airshow resulted in $88.7 billion worth of business around the world. Our state’s Department of Commerce, in a successful effort to increase South Carolina’s presence within the international aerospace industry, has sent representatives to both the Farnborough Airshow and the Paris Air Show for the last seven years.